Tequila Zarpado is releasing a spicy, Carolina reaper tequila

Tequila Zarpado is launching a expression for fans of spice

By Christopher Osburn Published August 12, 2025 10:56 AM

Tequila Zarpado

If you’re the type of drinker who both enjoys a small-batch, premium tequila and also enjoys a kick of spicy heat, the folks at Tequila Zarpado have a special new release for you. And spicy heat might be a bit of an understatement. That’s because the brand’s new tequila is flavored with one of the hottest peppers ever.

Tequila Zarpado REAPER

Tequila Zarpado

As the name suggests, Tequila Zarpado REAPER begins as a Blanco tequila. The first Carolina Reaper-infused tequila to hit the market, it’s flavored with a blend of Carolina Reaper and Habanero peppers.

Recommended Videos

This isn’t an over-the-top gimmick. It’s a unique and spicy tequila that begins with a Blanco tequila made with 100% mature Blue Weber agave that was slow-cooked before being double-distilled. The addition of Carolina Reaper and Habanero peppers adds a mix of fruity, floral, and spice flavors to the already flavorful tequila.

According to the brand, the result is a memorable tequila that begins with a nose of stone fruit, spicy peppers, and sweet agave. The palate is a mix of flavors including pineapple, papaya, rich smoke, and fiery heat. It’s a great choice to add a spicy kick to your favorite tequila-based cocktails.

“Spicy cocktails and spirits continue to gain popularity, and we’re excited to launch this truly unique spicy Tequila,” Terry Lozoff, VP and Spirits Director at Latitude Beverage, says.

“You’re going to taste the heat, of course, but Carolina Reaper peppers also have flavor notes that work really well with Zarpado’s profile. The spice is balanced, and doesn’t get in the way of the great flavor of this Tequila. It’s the perfect spirit for spice lovers and an ideal addition to your favorite spicy cocktail.”

Where can I buy it?

Tequila shot glasses with lime slice — Brent Hofacker / Shutterstock

Tequila Zarpado Reaper is available online and at select retailers in most US states for the suggested retail price of $28.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Christopher Osburn

Writer

Christopher Osburn is a food and drinks writer located in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. He's been writing professional

Topics

Liquor, Beer, Wine & Drinks

Food & Drink

Does whiskey go bad? Here’s how to spot the signs

Finally learn how and why whiskey goes bad

Pouring a glass of whiskey

The craft of making whiskey (single malt Scotch whisky, bourbon, Irish whiskey, or any other type) is highly elaborate. It’s a time-consuming process of mashing grain, fermenting the mash, distilling the liquid, and then maturing it in wood barrels. The ingredients and method are different depending on the type of whiskey. But one thing is guaranteed with any whiskey distilled worldwide: it will be sold and stored in a bottle.

This brings us to one crucial question: Does whiskey go bad? In my more than two decades of writing about alcohol and sampling countless whiskeys, I have found that it definitely does. But there are a variety of causes, and they are usually created by the alcohol consumer and not the distiller.
Signs your whiskey has gone bad

Food & Drink

Why “smooth” is the most debated word in bourbon — and what it really means

How does a bourbon end up with a "smooth" flavor?

kentucky bourbon trail guide tours

There’s no descriptive term more divisive in the bourbon world than “smooth.” This is because, even though it’s a reasonably well-known whiskey term, it’s so vague, generic, and overused that drinkers shudder when someone uses it as a descriptor for the whiskey they just imbibed. That doesn’t stop people from using it, though.

In almost two decades of writing about alcohol (with a strong emphasis on whiskey), I’ve written countless tasting notes. While I try to avoid using the word, I can understand its appeal. We all have a notion of what it means when we see it. This brings us to one crucial question, though. While it’s a seemingly generic term, what exactly does “smooth” mean when it comes to bourbon? What makes a bourbon smooth?
What makes a bourbon smooth?

Food & Drink

Why rum deserves the spotlight in your summer drink lineup

Rum cocktails to drink this summer

Daiquiri on a table

While we don't usually make it our business to tell you that one spirit is better than another when it comes to summer drinking, there's an argument to be made for rum as the true hero of the warmer months. This is especially true when it comes to mixed drinks. There are great, refreshing vodka, gin, tequila, and whiskey-based cocktails, but there's something special about a classic, flavorful rum-based cocktail on a hot, sunny summer day.

In my years of writing about alcohol, I've been lucky enough to imbibe my fair share of rum-based drinks. I understand the prowess of this aged (or un-aged) sugarcane-based spirit when it comes to warm-weather mixology.
Why is rum great for summery cocktails?